The Unwritten Rules
1080 Words
Zara didn’t know if it was the air in Wolfe Enterprises or just Aiden Wolfe’s presence, but ever since her second day began, she felt like she was walking a tightrope—one wrong move and she’d fall flat on her face. And with Aiden watching her like he was waiting for it, the pressure doubled.
Her heels clicked softly against the pristine marble floors as she walked to her desk. It was too early for most people to be in, but she needed a moment to breathe before the day swallowed her whole. Maybe even mentally prepare for another stare-down with her annoyingly attractive boss.
He hadn’t spoken much to her yesterday after the meeting. Just one nod—one single, unreadable nod—as if acknowledging she hadn’t completely embarrassed herself. It was maddening.
A soft ding echoed from the elevator behind her.
She didn’t have to turn around to know who it was.
That damn cologne again.
“Early bird,” Aiden’s voice came, smooth and low.
Zara straightened, slowly facing him. He looked devastating as always—tailored suit, sleek watch, and that look of quiet command. Like he owned the world, and no one dared to question it.
“I could say the same about you,” she replied, keeping her tone even.
“I’m always the first one here,” he said, stepping closer. “Part of the job.”
Zara raised a brow. “To scare your employees into submission?”
He smirked, eyes flicking to the coffee cup on her desk. “I don’t need to scare them. They scare themselves.”
She hated how smooth he was. There was a rhythm to the way he spoke, like everything he said was already calculated, already designed to get under someone’s skin.
“Was there something you needed?” she asked, folding her arms.
Aiden didn’t answer right away. His eyes stayed on her for a moment too long.
“I wanted to see how you were settling in,” he finally said. “Yesterday went better than expected.”
“You expected it to be a disaster?” she asked, half offended, half amused.
“Let’s just say… I had my doubts.”
Zara bit the inside of her cheek to keep from reacting. She’d expected the insults, the superiority complex—but somehow, the casual dismissiveness hit worse.
“Well,” she said, “I’m not here to prove anything to you. I’m here to do my job.”
“Good,” he said, a spark of something dangerous in his gaze. “Then do it better than everyone else.”
And just like that, he turned and walked away, leaving Zara standing in the middle of the hallway with her pulse thrumming in her ears.
This man. This insufferable, arrogant, beautiful man.
By mid-morning, Zara had buried herself in numbers and reports. She’d been asked to do a market analysis for a potential acquisition, and it was clear Aiden wasn’t going to help her navigate it. She had to figure it out on her own, like a test she hadn’t studied for.
“Need a lifeline?”
Zara looked up to see Hannah, one of the junior analysts, peeking into her cubicle with a kind smile.
Zara exhaled. “Only if it comes with coffee.”
“You’re braver than me, going straight for Wolfe’s department,” Hannah said, slipping into the seat across from her. “Most people try to avoid him at all costs.”
Zara chuckled. “I didn’t exactly plan it.”
Hannah leaned in. “Well, don’t take it personally if he’s… intense. It’s not you. He’s like that with everyone.”
“Yeah, but he did pour a hot cup of coffee on me before I started working here,” Zara muttered.
Hannah’s eyes widened. “Wait. You’re that girl?”
“Unfortunately.”
Hannah burst out laughing, quickly covering her mouth. “Okay, now you’re officially my favorite person here.”
Zara smiled, grateful for the moment of levity. She hadn’t realized how badly she needed a break from the constant tension.
But the moment didn’t last.
Because less than ten minutes later, she received a message from Aiden’s office.
Conference Room B. Now.
The room was already half full when she walked in. Executives sat around a long, polished table, some chatting softly, others scribbling notes. Aiden stood at the head of the table, cool and unreadable as always.
Zara found a seat at the far end.
The moment she sat down, he looked at her.
“Zara,” he said, voice sharp but not loud. “What’s your analysis on the acquisition figures?”
She froze. Her hands twitched toward her notes, flipping pages fast.
“I—uh—based on the third quarter trends and the projected growth rate, the company’s valuation is slightly inflated. There’s potential, but the risk margin is higher than initially reported.”
Silence.
Then Aiden nodded once.
“Continue.”
And so she did—explaining everything, down to the smallest detail, her voice steadying with every word. She wasn’t here to cower. She was here to prove that she belonged.
When she finished, there was another pause. Then a few murmured agreements around the table.
And Aiden?
He gave her the faintest hint of a smirk. Like he knew she could handle it. Like he wanted her to rise to the challenge.
“Meeting adjourned,” he said.
As people filtered out, Zara stood to leave. But his voice stopped her.
“Stay.”
Her spine stiffened. She turned.
He was leaning against the table now, arms crossed, watching her.
“You did well,” he said.
“Thank you.”
“But next time,” he added, “don’t wait for me to call on you. Speak when you have something to say.”
Zara blinked. “I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to.”
Aiden stepped closer. Too close.
“There are no rules here, Zara. Just results.”
She met his gaze head-on.
“Then I guess I’ll have to keep giving them to you.”
His smile was slow. Dangerous. Impressed.
“Good.”
And with that, he walked past her, his scent lingering, his presence impossible to ignore.
Zara stood in the empty room, heart pounding, already bracing for what tomorrow might bring.
But one thing was certain—this war of wits had only just begun.
- Writer
